Islamabad (July 30, 2017): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf observed Thanksgiving Day on Sunday by holding a public meeting at Islamabad’s Parade Ground.
Addressing the gathering, PTI Chairman Imran Khan thanked his party workers, especially the female party workers.
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While remembering his late mother and crediting her for teaching him to remain strong and stand firm for the truth and justice, Imran Khan said, “We knocked on judiciary’s doors instead of taking to the roads because the SC judges asked us to come to the court,” said Khan. “We are thankful to the judiciary because with the judgment, they brought us a new hope.”
Imran paid tribute to the five judges of the apex court and the joint investigation team (JIT).
“I salute the JIT members; I know how much pressure you have handled,” Imran added.
Asking his supporters and the people of Pakistan to imagine a “New Pakistan,” Imran Khan said that the National Accountability Bureau would not wait for the government’s orders to take action against criminals under PTI’s leadership.
Lashing out PMLN, Imran said that PML-N must answer that you talk about democracy but you follow the rituals of a monarchy.
“When Nawaz Sharif is gone, why didn’t PML-N have any other person than Shehbaz Sharif to take over? It is because PMLN is a family limited party”, Khan added
Imran Khan thanked and paid tribute to the five judges of the Supreme Court bench, which disqualified Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister, and members of the Panamagate joint investigation team (JIT).
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“I thank and pay tribute to those five judges and members of the Panamagate JIT on behalf of the nation,” Khan said. “I can understand how much pressure would be there on JIT members; a mafia either intimidates you or tries to bribe.”
He said that judges asked them to come to the Supreme Court instead of protesting in streets, but it disappointed workers when he decided to go to the court. “People’s Party and Tahirul Qadri termed our decision a mistake.”
The PTI chief said the apex court judges gave hope to the nation and the foundation of “Naya Pakistan” has been laid today.
Hailing the women participants, he said they were equally involved in changing the landscape of the country and were well aware of their rights. “My mother taught me to stand for justice, truth and what is right,” Khan said, adding that he wanted youngsters to follow the same.
He said he dreamed of eradicating poverty from the country, adding that wishing to own a house in London or Panama was too small a dream.
“I am glad that KP government brought reforms in education and health sectors,” he said, adding that around 150,000 children got admitted to public schools from private schools, while people can have up to Rs0.5 million for their medical treatment via health cards.
Outlining his future plans, Khan said, “When we came to power, NAB would hold everyone accountable, whereas a strong FBR will help collect taxes”.
“We will make the country a welfare state and will collect taxes from the ones who have been evading them.”
He said that he would be responsible if any of his party members was found involved in corruption, adding, “Neither have I ever bowed before anyone, nor will I allow my country to bow before another state”.
The PTI chairman questioned nomination of Shehbaz Sharif as next PM saying, “Was there no one in entire Nawaz-league who could be made prime minister?” He said there was no democracy in PML-N and that it was a family’s party.
He warned Shehbaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to be prepared for they were now coming after them.
To PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, he said, “Next is yours turn, we will set out against corruption. We do not have any enmity with Nawaz-league; our fight is against corruption”.
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Earlier to him, Sheikh Rasheed said he had already told that Nawaz Sharif was not truthful and honest. “I always urged the people to have patience and keep their passion alive,” he said, adding that Imran Khan is going to be the leader in future, who is “farsighted”.
“This country has great institutions, military and judges. As long as these institutions and a leader like Imran are present, no one can harm the country,” he said.
The AML chief claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as its candidate for interim prime minister at Qatar’s behest. “Saifur Rehman came in a Qatari vehicle and told them to make Khaqan interim PM.”
“Where is the 15-year gas agreement with Qatar,” Rasheed inquired, adding that whenever Sharif brothers were sent to prison, he would remind them that they were thieves.
Drawing attention of the PTI chief at the rally, he said, “People have their hopes with you; do not disappoint them”.
Meanwhile, disorder was witnessed at the rally as PTI workers attempted to reach the stage. They also mounted on containers reserved for newsmen for coverage of the rally.
An armed man was also taken into custody from near the stage, at which the PTI leadership is seated. A handgun was reportedly recovered from the suspect, who was moved to an undisclosed location.
Earlier in the day, caravans of PTI supporters reached the Parade Ground from across the region.
PTI leaders from Lahore, Peshawar and other cities led their respective groups to the venue.
PTI calls off Islamabad ‘lockdown’, to hold celebratory rally
To ensure security at the site of the gathering, 1,600 security personnel were deployed as per the security plan.
There were three ways designated for participants to enter Parade Ground.
Walkthrough gates were installed at the entry points so that no one enters the venue unchecked.
A separate entry point was made for women, where female security personnel were present for frisking. A separate enclosure was also erected for women participants of the event.
Three stages were set up, with one for the central leadership to address the crowd.
The organisers earlier claimed to have made seating arrangements for 30,000 people whereas the local administration claimed only 9,000 seats were placed at the venue.
The PTI chief, in a tweet on Saturday, claimed ‘record’ crowds will come to today’s gathering to celebrate Nawaz Sharif’s ouster.
On Saturday night, the PTI chairman visited Parade Ground to monitor the preparations for the gathering. The party workers let fireworks off during their chairman’s visit.
A similar ‘Thanksgiving Rally’ was celebrated at Islamabad’s Parade Ground on November 2, 2016 as well over the Supreme Court’s order of forming a commission to probe the Panama Papers issue.
Prior to the apex court’s intervention, the party had planned to ‘lock down’ Islamabad in protest over the Panama Papers issue.
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